893.00/11197: Telegram
The Consul General at Hankow (Lockhart) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8:10 p.m.]
83. Following sent to the Legation:
“September 17, 3 p.m. U.S.S. Luzon, flagship of Admiral Craven, Commander, Yangtze Patrol, fired upon by fieldpieces yesterday at a point 25 miles above Wusueh and again 15 miles further down river. Fire was returned in both instances by 3-inch and machine guns. No casualties on Luzon. This stretch of river has been in complete control of communist bands for several months and National troops have not been able to dislodge them. This situation is serious menace to navigation and I have repeatedly called it to attention of local authorities.
In the shipment of airplane bombs to the north, referred to in my September 16, 4 p.m.,97 there were also many cases of 150-pound bombs.
Local authorities, both civil and military, are bringing the strongest sort of pressure to bear on merchants, bankers and all Chinese to subscribe to new loan. Threats and intimidation and the use of soldiers in forcing these demands are not uncommon.
Repeated to the Department.”
- Not printed.↩